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Start Preamble

AGENCIES:

Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (the Councils) are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to establish procedures for contracting officers to provide contractor information, such as terminations for cause or default and defective cost or pricing data, into the Past Performance Information System (PPIRS) and Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) module within PPIRS. This information will assist the contracting officer in making an informed source selection and award decision. Instructions on access to the FAPIIS module and how to input data into the FAPIIS module will be available at http://www.ppirs.gov/​fapiis.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

The Councils have agreed on a final rule amending the FAR to revise the contractor performance information process. This case sets forth requirements for contracting officers to report defective cost or pricing data and terminations for cause or default into the FAPIIS module of the PPIRS. Evaluation of past performance information, especially terminations, manages risks associated with timely, effective, and cost efficient completion of contracts, a key objective of the President's March 4, 2009, Memorandum on Government Contracting.

The Councils published in the Federal Register at 74 FR 45394 on September 2, 2009, a proposed rule with request for comments. Four respondents submitted fifteen comments.

B. Discussion of Public Comments

The comments received were grouped under six general topics. A summary of these topics and a discussion of the comments and the changes made to the proposed rule as a result of those comments are provided below:

1. Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters

Comment: One respondent recommended deletion of the certification on terminations found in FAR clause 52.209-5, Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters, since the information concerning terminations will be available to contracting officers in PPIRS. The respondent further suggested that conforming deletions should also be made at FAR 52.204-8(c)(1)(v) and in the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) Web site.

Response: The Councils disagree. PPIRS is the repository for Start Printed Page 60259determinations made by contracting officers. PPIRS is not a repository for certifications made by contractors when certifications are required. Executive order 12689 requires the inclusion of the certification at FAR 52.209-5. FAR 9.105-1 also requires contracting officers to consider contractor certifications in making a contractor determination of responsibility.

2. Contractor Rebuttal

Comment: Two of the four respondents submitted comments requesting that the contractor be given an opportunity to post rebutting statements and additional information into PPIRS and this information be retained as long as the fundamental information is retained in PPIRS.

Response: When termination records are posted in the FAPIIS module of PPIRS, contractors will have an opportunity to provide additional information as required by section 872 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 110-417). This process should not be confused with the rebuttal process for past performance information as specified in FAR 42.1503(b).

3. Defective Pricing Information

Comment: One respondent submitted two separate comments suggesting that defective pricing information not be included in PPIRS.

Response: The Councils disagree. The Councils believe that defective cost or pricing data is relevant to other contractor performance information to be considered when evaluating contractor's performance for award of contracts. However, the Councils did clarify in FAR 15.407-1(d) and 42.1503(f) that the contracting officer shall report only the final determination.

4. Relevance and Currency

Comment: One respondent submitted two separate comments on relevance and currency. One comment stated that the FAR does not provide any guidance with respect to relevance when determining the relevance and currency of any termination for cause or default information in PPIRS. The second comment suggested that the rule explain how the contracting officer will evaluate defective pricing information recorded in PPIRS.

Response: The Councils disagree with revising the rule. Relevancy is specific to the instant contract and based on the circumstances of contract performance. Contracting officers are responsible for making a determination of the relevancy of the information. The Councils will work with the Federal Acquisition Institute and the Defense Acquisition University to develop guidance and training for contracting officials on the proper use of the reported information.

5. Removal of Detrimental Information

Comment: Two respondents submitted comments concerning removal of detrimental information from PPIRS. One comment suggested that the Government remove unfavorable information from PPIRS should it no longer be valid. For example, when terminations for cause or default are converted to termination for convenience or withdrawn the contracting officer should remove from PPIRS any reference to the termination for default. The respondent recommended changing the language at FAR 8.406-8 and 12.403.

Response: The Councils disagree that a change to the rule is necessary. The language at FAR 8.406-4(e), 12.403(c)(4), 15.407-1, and 49.402-8 states that the contracting officer shall report a subsequent withdrawal or a conversion to a termination for convenience in accordance with FAR 42.1503(f).

Comment: Another respondent suggested the Government should be held to the same high standard of record keeping as no system is infallible. Determination of malice and intent should be made before contract termination occurs. Follow-up systems should be in place to make sure that when an error occurs and is corrected that the Government does hold up its side of the bargain and remove detrimental information.

Response: Comment noted. Throughout the revised coverage, language was added that in the event a termination for cause is subsequently converted to a termination for convenience, or otherwise withdrawn, the contracting officer shall ensure that a notice of the conversion or withdrawal is reported in accordance with FAR 42.1503(f).

6. Timing of Posting of Defective Pricing Information

Five comments were received from two respondents regarding the timing and posting of defective pricing information.

Comment: The respondents believe that it is not clear that the intent of this language is to post this information before or after a defective pricing case has been resolved.

Response: The Councils agree. Language was clarified at FAR 15.407-1 to add the word “final” before determination in the coverage. In addition, a requirement was added to update PPIRS.

Comment: One respondent expressed concern that posting within 10 days is not likely to happen.

Response: The Councils disagree. There were no objections to the 10-day timeframe made by the agencies during the proposed rule comment period. The 10-day timeframe was changed to 3 working days to be synonymous with the requirements of FAPIIS.

Summary of Major Changes to the Proposed Rule

New coverage at FAR 8.406-8 was moved to FAR 8.406-4(e).

Language was clarified at FAR 15.407-1 to add “contracting officer's final” before “determination” in the coverage. A requirement was added to update PPIRS.

In FAR 42.1503, the 10-day timeframe was changed to 3 working days to be synonymous with the requirements of FAPIIS. Language was clarified on what a “conversion” is. Language was added to address agency focal points.

This is a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was subject to review under section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration certify that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the rule does not impose any additional requirements on small entities. The collection and reporting of past performance information is an internal process to the Government. The rule merely puts into effect the internal requirement that contracting officers report defective cost or pricing data and terminations for cause or default into PPIRS.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to the FAR do not impose information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, et seq.

Part 8—REQUIRED SOURCES OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

(e) Reporting. An ordering activity contracting officer, in accordance with agency procedures, shall ensure that information related to termination for cause notices and any amendments are reported. In the event the termination for cause is subsequently converted to a termination for convenience, or is otherwise withdrawn, the contracting officer shall ensure that a notice of the conversion or withdrawal is reported. All reporting shall be in accordance with 42.1503(f).

Start Part

Part 12—ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(4) The contracting officer, in accordance with agency procedures, shall ensure that information related to termination for cause notices and any amendments are reported. In the event the termination for cause is subsequently converted to a termination for convenience, or is otherwise withdrawn, the contracting officer shall ensure that a notice of the conversion or withdrawal is reported. All reporting shall be in accordance with 42.1503(f).

* * * * *

Start Part

PART 15—CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION

(d) For each advisory audit received based on a postaward review that indicates defective pricing, the contracting officer shall make a determination as to whether or not the data submitted were defective and relied upon. Before making such a determination, the contracting officer should give the contractor an opportunity to support the accuracy, completeness, and currency of the data in question. The contracting officer shall prepare a memorandum documenting both the determination and any corrective action taken as a result. The contracting officer shall send one copy of this memorandum to the auditor and, if the contract has been assigned for administration, one copy to the administrative contracting officer (ACO). A copy of the memorandum or other notice of the contracting officer's determination shall be provided to the contractor. When the contracting officer determines that the contractor submitted defective cost or pricing data, the contracting officer, in accordance with agency procedures, shall ensure that information relating to the contracting officer's final determination is reported in accordance with 42.1503(f). Agencies shall ensure updated information that changes a contracting officer's prior final determination is reported into the FAPIIS module of PPIRS in the event of a—

(a) Agency procedures for the past performance evaluation system shall generally provide for input to the evaluations from the technical office, contracting office and, where appropriate, end users of the product or service. Agency procedures shall identify those responsible for preparing interim and final evaluations. Those individuals identified may obtain information for the evaluation of performance from the program office, administrative contracting office, audit office, end users of the product or service, and any other technical or business advisor, as appropriate. Interim evaluations shall be prepared as required, in accordance with agency procedures.

* * * * *

(f) Other contractor information. (1) Agencies shall ensure information is reported in the FAPIIS module of PPIRS within 3 working days after a contracting officer—

(i) Issues a final determination that a contractor has submitted defective cost or pricing data;

(ii) Makes a subsequent change to the final determination concerning defective cost or pricing data pursuant to 15.407-1(d);

(iii) Issues a final termination for cause or default notice; or

(iv) Makes a subsequent withdrawal or a conversion of a termination for default to a termination for convenience.

PART 49—TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS

The contracting officer, in accordance with agency procedures, shall ensure that information relating to the termination for default notice and a subsequent withdrawal or a conversion to a termination for convenience is reported in accordance with 42.1503(f).